I read a story yesterday about a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website that warns about Dog Depredations by Wolves in Wisconsin – 2010. (I found the link through a story online, Hundreds subscribe to Wisconsin wolf attack alerts.)
The DNR webpage allows visitors to sign up for email alerts when there are reports of wolf attacks. I signed up, so that my dog (the pseudonymous Dog X) and I can be on guard. I can’t imagine a wolf attack in town, but if a stinkin’ wolf wanders through town one night, and causes mayhem, we’ll be notified.
(By the way, private services could provide these updates, too.)
Here’s the link: Subscribe to Wisconsin Gray Wolf Depredation Alerts.
Most attacks are not on pet dogs, but hunting dogs. Here’s a DNR description of wolves’ behavior:
As with other wild canids, wolves are very territorial and will guard their territories from other wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Wolves are probably most aggressive toward strange wolves and dogs at den and rendezvous sites when their pups are small, during the breeding season in January and February, and when they are protecting a fresh kill. Wolf packs have pups in spring and then later will use rendezvous sites from mid June to late September, after the pups are big enough to leave their den. Adult wolves are very defensive of pups at rendezvous sites and will attack other predators, including dogs, that get too close to the rendezvous site or the pups.
A pack will use from 2 to 3 to as many as 6 or more rendezvous sites during the summer. The exact locations vary from year to year and throughout the summer. The sites are usually forest openings or edge areas, with lots of wolf tracks, droppings, and matted vegetation. Move 2 or 3 miles from any rendezvous site, if possible, before releasing dogs. In addition, avoid releasing dogs at baits recently visited by wolves. When looking for bear sign at a bait, make sure to also look for wolf tracks. Be familiar with your own dog’s tracks, so that you can distinguish it from any wolf tracks. If a specific bait site is receiving a lot of wolf use, discontinue using it until wolves have left, and concentrate on an alternative bait site. Some hunters have had success with bells on dog collars to reduce wolf attacks, but some dogs with bells have been attacked by wolves.
Forewarned is forearmed.